ACL compiles a daily media monitoring service of stories of interest to the Christian constituency relating to children, family, drugs and alcohol, marriage, human rights, religious freedom etc. Visit the ACL’s website each day to see what’s of interest in the news. Please note that selection of the articles does not represent ACL endorsement of the content.

Despite the complexity and sensitivity of the issues involved, issues of mental illness and disability need to be given careful thought in considering whether to legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide in Tasmania. In the few jurisdictions where it is legal, there is evidence that people with mental illnesses and disabilities have been euthanased or assisted to end their lives, despite the presence of 'safeguards.'

Belgian MPs will this week debate a sweeping new bill that would extend the country's liberal medical mercy-killing laws to include children and dementia sufferers. Euthanasia on the grounds of "unbearable ps ychological or physical suffering" has been legal in Belgium since 2002, but a broad coalition of parties is drafting legislation that would extend the provision to children and those suffering from dementia or other "diseases of the brain".

Tasmanian politicians may once again attempt to legislate for marriage equality later this year, after a vote on the reform last September narrowly failed to pass the state’s Upper House. The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has also voiced its opposition, with the ACL’s Tasmanian director, Mark Brown, saying it was “legislation by fatigue” and voters wanted to move on.

The Anglican Archbishop of Perth has hinted that he will reject a proposal to recognise same-sex relationships within his diocese. The Reverend Chris Bedding of the Darlington-Bellevue Anglican parish put forward the resolution to the church's synod last year. It was backed by the synod but vetoed by the Archbishop.

People in polygamous relationships should be free to marry more than one partner “without interference”, a representative from Atheist Scotland has said. Writing to The Scotsman newspaper, Ian Stewart said the right to have more than one spouse is a “matter of equality”.

In Stockholm, women from around the world are finding real love that frees them from the sex that once enslaved them. After listening to each other’s stories of rescue from the hushed world of sex trafficking, tears fill the eyes of everyone in the room, and joy is experienced for the first time.

Tony Abbott has apologised to an Asian leader for the second time in a week over his robust political campaigning before he was elected, offering an "act of contrition" for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

The Christian owners of a guesthouse who refused to allow a gay couple to stay in a double-bedded room have said they want to avoid a “collision” between two different lifestyles as they prepare to take their case to the Supreme Court. Peter and Hazelmary Bull have put the Chymorvah Hotel in Marazion, Cornwall, up for sale following the controversy and have reportedly been the victims of vandalism and death threats.

Indonesia's Japfa Group (headed by billionaire Handoja Santosa) is the biggest importer of Australian live cattle, and is also Asia's biggest beef breeder. Last week Japfa announced its purchase of "Riveren" and "Inverway" stations for a figure reported to be over $35 million.